the bubble...

It's no secret that bloggers are creating a bit of a stir within the fashion/media industry. They are thought, by some, to be infringing on a secretive and aloof world that has remained separate from 'normal people' for far too long. Anyone can start a blog - no matter what your experience or expertise. Regardless of how famous or fabulous you might be... you will start off with zero followers, you will wonder if anyone is reading, you will put yourself out there and hope that people will come back for more. Today there are bloggers who have tens of thousands of followers and hundreds of thousands of hits a day - there are those that are endorsed by major magazines and designer brands and there are those who photograph their newest finds from primark. Each is valid and each has a voice within this wonderful world of the blogosphere. The question remains though... where is all this going? What role do bloggers have within the fashion industry. Do they have a solid voice? Do they deserve one? Should they be sent free gifts and invited to sit front row at fashion week (like traditional magazine editors are)?

The Sketchbook Pop Up Shop held a discussion this past Wednesday on 'Print vs. Online' - what is the future for the book, the magazine, the blog... and how will they all manage to exist together? Is the answer coexistence (if so, how?) or domination (if so, who will win?). The panel consisted of Sandrine Maggiani of Stylesight, Adrian Shaughnessy, Susanna 'Susie Bubble' Lau and Becky Smith, founder of cult magazine Lula & Twin Magazine. (Susie and Becky are the thoughtful looking pair pictured above) They all agreed that print and online publications will need to find a balance and exist in tandem, neither can operate in isolation from the other, neither can remain in a bubble... but the unanswerable question is just how exactly this will work. I'll spare you all their thoughts on the matter and instead ask for yours... and while you piece them together here are some shots of the lady who helped jump-started the current blogging phenomena back in 2006... the one and only Susie of Style Bubble. Who just happens to be rocking some of the biggest spring/summer 2010 trends in, of course, her own very unique way.